Pregnant Women Who Sleep Less Than 7 hours a Night Have an Increased Risk of Having Children With Developmental Delays

Pregnant women who don’t get enough sleep may be at higher risk of having children with neurodevelopmental delays, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Sleep Habits During Pregnancy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children

Short sleep duration (SSD) is defined as less than seven hours of sleep per night. Pregnant women may have difficulty sleeping due to hormonal changes, pregnancy discomfort, frequent urination and other factors. It has been reported that nearly 40% of pregnant women suffer from SSD. These women may be at higher risk for impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and gestational diabetes, and their children may be at higher risk for delayed neurodevelopment. These children develop their social, emotional, motor, cognitive, or language skills more slowly.

“This study highlights the need to pay attention to sleep health during pregnancy. By shedding light on the link between maternal sleep during pregnancy and children’s neurodevelopment, our study empowers families with knowledge that can foster healthier pregnancy habits and contribute to the well-being of the next generation,” said senior study author Peng Zhu, M.D., of Anhui Medical University and the MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle in Hefei, China. Improving sleep habits during pregnancy can prevent or reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

The researchers analyzed sleep data from 7,059 mother-child pairs from three different hospitals in China. They examined the children for developmental delays between the ages of six months and three years and analyzed the association between maternal sleep duration and the risk of neurodevelopmental delay. They also evaluated the role of cord blood C-peptide levels, which are a stable indicator of fetal insulin secretion.

The study found that:

• Insufficient sleep during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, affecting their cognitive abilities, behavioral development and learning ability.
• Boys appear to be at higher risk of neurodevelopmental delays if their mothers suffer from SSD during pregnancy, suggesting that gender plays a crucial role in the response of offspring to prenatal environmental factors.
• SSD during pregnancy can impair maternal glucose metabolism, thereby affecting the fetal developmental environment.
• There may be a positive correlation between umbilical cord blood C-peptide levels and developmental delays in offspring, suggesting that maternal glucose metabolism during pregnancy may affect fetal insulin secretion and, in turn, fetal neurodevelopment.

How to Promote Healthy Sleep

Try to go to bed at the same time every night, and ideally get up at the same time too. A relaxing evening routine with activities such as reading, light yoga, meditation or autogenic training can help to promote restful sleep. Avoid using electronic devices in the hours before bedtime and make sure your bedroom is at a comfortable temperature. Use earplugs to minimize ambient noise and make sure that it is dark in your room, as light can affect your sleep. The right mattress can also determine whether you will find undisturbed sleep or toss and turn restlessly in bed. It’s best to get advice from a professional on this. Last but not least, avoid heavy food before going to bed, as this can put a strain on the stomach and lead to heartburn.